All in a day's work

Chatting away to old folks, serving their dinner, studying and doing a paper round is all in a day's work for one Preston schoolboy.

Now 15-year-old Stuart Cheetham's caring touch has earned him a top award as the Northern finalist of Age Concern's Coldwatch Young Person Award.

And thanks to his hard work Stuart now boasts an extended family of grandparents! Stuart, who is revising for his GCSEs at Walton-le-Dale high school, first started helping out at Charnley Lodge Day Care Centre, in Lostock Hall, four years ago after teacher Alan Hutchinson asked the pupils to help out in the community.

And now he's become a friendly face at the centre every Thursday dinnertime serving lunch and chatting to the pensioners.

During the winter he's a devoted helper too - delivering hampers to old folk living on their own at Christmas.

Stuart, who is looking forward to a career as an architect, said: "It's like having an extended family of grandparents always fussing over me, but I really enjoy it."

The award is part of a campaign which recognises the work of young people working with the elderly.

Stuart is one of five regional winners who will travel to London next Tuesday for a celebrity lunch at the Cafe Royal where the national winner will be presented with a £500 cheque to spend in the community.

He added: "It should be an excellent day out."

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